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1 – 10 of 113Sajad Pirsa and Fahime Purghorbani
In this study, an attempt has been made to collect the research that has been done on the construction and design of the H2O2 sensor. So far, many efforts have been made to…
Abstract
Purpose
In this study, an attempt has been made to collect the research that has been done on the construction and design of the H2O2 sensor. So far, many efforts have been made to quickly and sensitively determine H2O2 concentration based on different analytical principles. In this study, the importance of H2O2, its applications in various industries, especially the food industry, and the importance of measuring it with different techniques, especially portable sensors and on-site analysis, have been investigated and studied.
Design/methodology/approach
Hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) is a very simple molecule in nature, but due to its strong oxidizing and reducing properties, it has been widely used in the pharmaceutical, medical, environmental, mining, textile, paper, food production and chemical industries. Sensitive, rapid and continuous detection of H2O2 is of great importance in many systems for product quality control, health care, medical diagnostics, food safety and environmental protection.
Findings
Various methods have been developed and applied for the analysis of H2O2, such as fluorescence, colorimetry and electrochemistry, among them, the electrochemical technique due to its advantages in simple instrumentation, easy miniaturization, sensitivity and selectivity.
Originality/value
Monitoring the H2O2 concentration level is of practical importance for academic and industrial purposes. Edible oils are prone to oxidation during processing and storage, which may adversely affect oil quality and human health. Determination of peroxide value (PV) of edible oils is essential because PV is one of the most common quality parameters for monitoring lipid oxidation and oil quality control. The development of cheap, simple, fast, sensitive and selective H2O2 sensors is essential.
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Vardhan Mahesh Choubey, Prasad Vasant Joshi and Yashomandira Pravin Kharde
This case study would help students in understanding the dynamics of logistics and logistics vendor roles and contributions to overall business operations. The case study covers…
Abstract
Learning outcomes
This case study would help students in understanding the dynamics of logistics and logistics vendor roles and contributions to overall business operations. The case study covers real-time information for applying the theoretical knowledge students gain related to the selection of logistics vendor. It would help students to understand and evaluate the dynamics of a new start-up related to cost, profits and dependency; understand and analyze the importance of third-party logistics (3PL) service providers in the supply chain; become aware of the key performance indicators (KPIs) important in the selection of logistics vendor; and develop and create measures for selecting logistics vendors on the basis of KPIs.
Case overview/synopsis
This case study was about an innovative start-up operating in the field of organic edible oils. The company catered to end consumers with its indigenous technology and processes. The innovative and healthy products were appreciated by the consumers, as was reflected in the surging demand figures. With the increasing popularity of organic products, the orders were surging. At the same time, issues such as damaged product delivery, increased cost per delivery of small packages and failure to deliver because of unserved pin codes by their logistics partners were being faced by the company. The case discusses the dilemma faced by the protagonist regarding the selection of the right 3PL partner. The case study is suitable for teaching courses in operations and logistics, supply chain management and entrepreneurship-related courses.
Complexity academic level
This case study is appropriate for postgraduate courses in entrepreneurship, operations management, logistics and supply chain management and general management.
Supplementary materials
Teaching notes are available for educators only.
Subject code
CSS9: Operations and logistics.
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Carolina Nicolas and Valeska V. Geldres-Weiss
This study aimed to identify research trends and topics in sustainability assessment in the food sector within the scope of economics, business and management research.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aimed to identify research trends and topics in sustainability assessment in the food sector within the scope of economics, business and management research.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors conducted a bibliometric analysis by applying a rigid and systematic research protocol, employing bibliometric techniques and a keyword co-occurrence network. Further, the Visualization of Similarities viewer software was used to analyse publications between 1994 and 2021.
Findings
The knowledge trends regarding “sustainability assessment” in the research area of business economics demonstrated a notable evolution of the topics analysed, ranging from indicators and policy analyses in agriculture and fishery sectors, to the topic of sustainability life cycle assessment (LCA) and management systems. In business and management research areas, the main theoretical frameworks used for sustainability assessment in the food sector included the triple-bottom line (TBL) and the LCA, and the main research topics were food chain logistics, bio-based products, retailers, consumption patterns and crop-based biodiesel options.
Research limitations/implications
This study employed only the WoS database and future studies could incorporate other scientific databases. Regarding future research, more emphasis could be laid on food retailers given their prevalence as demonstrated by the study and past research.
Practical implications
The findings can help all participants in the food global value chain to make better decisions to guide their sustainability efforts and assessment. Moreover, this research reveals that companies need to be actively engaged with their stakeholders and pay special attention to consumer patterns and perceptions.
Originality/value
The bibliometric research focus on business and management research areas using the Web of Sciences categories, starting from the research area of business economics to the analysis of the food sector's sustainability assessment.
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Joseph Myoka James and Ismail W. R. Taifa
This research aimed at lowering the non-volatile matter (NVM) of long oil alkyd (LOA) resin to meet the resin requirements in producing Hi-gloss paints. The research also aimed to…
Abstract
Purpose
This research aimed at lowering the non-volatile matter (NVM) of long oil alkyd (LOA) resin to meet the resin requirements in producing Hi-gloss paints. The research also aimed to assist Hi-gloss paint manufacturers who require solid resin content below 70%.
Design/methodology/approach
The research utilised both the document review and experimental methods. The experimental method, which involved the blending process, was used in lowering the NVM of LOA resin, whereby eight experiments were conducted as reputations to obtain accurate data and results. A factorial design was used in the design of the experiment (DOE), where three factors were required to be evaluated: specific gravity, viscosity and NVM and two levels were required: weight of LOA and white spirit.
Findings
The NVM of LOA resin was successfully lowered, and different shades of paint were produced for reliability testing. The quality parameters of Hi-gloss paints that used the modified LOA were all found within the company's specifications compared to those with unmodified LOA, where some parameters were either above or below the specifications. However, all samples with the NVM of LOA used below 50% were found to be poor in terms of quality during the reliability testing. So, if the company had used the modified LOA resin in the production of Hi-gloss paints, it would have potentially saved 18,925.2 kg and 9,446.4 kg, respectively, of LOA just in producing Hi-gloss black and white paints only. Moreover, the cost of 1 kg of LOA is $2.3, which is equal to Tanzanian Shillings (Tshs) 5,290. The company would have potentially saved Tshs 100.114 million Tshs and Tshs 49.97 million Tshs in producing Hi-gloss black and white paints, respectively, making a total of Tshs 150.08 million per year. This was counted as a loss during that year because they did not use LOA resin with 50% NVM in production.
Research limitations/implications
This study focused on LOA resin used in producing Hi-gloss paints. The study also did not consider other categories of alkyd resins used in producing paints and varnishes e.g. epoxy resin and short and medium oil alkyd resins.
Originality/value
This is probably the first alkyd resin improvement study conducted using white spirit as Tanzania's main agent or material. The study utilised vegetable oils such as coconut, sunflower and tobacco seeds.
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Hadi Yahya Saleh Mareeh, Adhita Sri Prabakusuma, Mohammad Delwar Hussain, Ataul Karim Patwary, Akmalhon Dedahujaev and Rami Abdullah Aleryani
The agriculture industry has a considerable impact on Malaysia’s economy, as seen by its contribution of roughly 8.2% of gross domestic product in 2018 and its potential to absorb…
Abstract
Purpose
The agriculture industry has a considerable impact on Malaysia’s economy, as seen by its contribution of roughly 8.2% of gross domestic product in 2018 and its potential to absorb 11.09% of Malaysian labor in the same year. This study aims to simulate rising output in a system model of sustainable and profitable crude palm oil (CPO) supply chain management (SCM) and to formulate policy solutions to build sustainable and profitable SCM of Malaysian CPO.
Design/methodology/approach
This research included both primary and secondary data. This study used the dynamic system model to simulate palm oil land expansion, replanting policies and environmentally friendly growing techniques.
Findings
This study’s findings suggest that the dynamic system model of Malaysia’s CPO’s sustainable and profitable SCM is valid when its structure and performance are tested. The fifth scenario provides the best results, with the most significant net benefit value compared to the other scenarios.
Originality/value
The ideal policy alternative is replanting sustainable agricultural practices without burning technologies during new land clearing to achieve the best net advantages.
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Veronica Marozzo, Alessandra Costa, Antonio Crupi and Tindara Abbate
This study aims to examine the most influential drivers, both product-specific and consumer-specific, affecting Asian consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for organic olive oil.
Abstract
Purpose
This study aims to examine the most influential drivers, both product-specific and consumer-specific, affecting Asian consumers' willingness to pay (WTP) for organic olive oil.
Design/methodology/approach
To individuate the most influential drivers of WTP for organic products and to assess their effect, in terms of configurational paths and consumer profiles, this study sequentially employs explorative factor analysis approach and a fuzzy-set qualitative comparative analysis method. The survey is carried out in different areas of Asia (e.g. Pakistan, Vietnam and China).
Findings
The results suggest that Asian consumers' WTP for organic products is described by consumer-specific drivers (gender, occupation and household size) as well as product-specific drivers (product authenticity and sustainability, consumer ethnocentrism and food fraud risk perception).
Originality/value
The findings of the study permit the identification of different drivers that move consumers' WTP for organic olive oil. The study contributes to setting the ground for companies to propose and implement efficacious marketing strategies for organic olive oil in importing countries, such as Asia.
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Shinta Rahma Diana and Farida Farida
Technology acceptance is a measure of that technology’s usefulness. Oil palm is one of the biggest contributors to Indonesia’s revenues, thus fueling its economy. Using remote…
Abstract
Purpose
Technology acceptance is a measure of that technology’s usefulness. Oil palm is one of the biggest contributors to Indonesia’s revenues, thus fueling its economy. Using remote sensing would allow a plantation to monitor and forecast its production and the amount of fertilizer used. This review aims to provide a policy recommendation in the form of a strategy to improve the added value of Indonesia’s oil palm and support the government in increasing oil palm production. This recommendation needs to be formulated by determining the users’ acceptance of remote sensing technology (state-owned plantations, private plantation companies and smallholder plantations).
Design/methodology/approach
This review’s methodology used sentiment analysis through text mining (bag of words model). The study’s primary data were from focus group discussions (FGDs), questionnaires, observations on participants, audio-visual documentation and focused discussions based on group category. The results of interviews and FGDs were transcribed into text and analyzed to 1) find words that can represent the content of the document; 2) classify and determine the frequency (word cloud); and finally 3) analyze the sentiment.
Findings
The result showed that private plantation companies and state-owned plantations had extremely high positive sentiments toward using remote sensing in their oil palm plantations, whereas smallholders had a 60% resistance. However, there is still a possibility for this technology’s adoption by smallholders, provided it is free and easily applied.
Research limitations/implications
Basically, technology is applied to make work easier. However, not everyone is tech-savvy, especially the older generations. One dimension of technology acceptance is user/customer retention. New technology would not be immediately accepted, but there would be user perceptions about its uses and ease. At first, people might be reluctant to accept a new technology due to the perception that it is useless and difficult. Technology acceptance is the gauge of how useful technology is in making work easier compared to conventional ways.
Practical implications
Therefore, technology acceptance needs to be improved among smallholders by intensively socializing the policies, and through dissemination and dedication by academics and the government.
Social implications
The social implications of using technology are reducing the workforce, but the company will be more profitable and efficient.
Originality/value
Remote sensing is one of the topics that people have not taken up in a large way, especially sentiment analysis. Acceptance of technology that utilizes remote sensing for plantations is very useful and efficient. In the end, company profits can be allocated more toward empowering the community and the environment.
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What started as a FMCG distributor in 1967 in Kenya as Export Finance Company, is now a dynamic global conglomerate across 48 countries and 5 continents — Export Trading Group…
Abstract
What started as a FMCG distributor in 1967 in Kenya as Export Finance Company, is now a dynamic global conglomerate across 48 countries and 5 continents — Export Trading Group. ETG was taken over by the then CFO Mahesh Patel after exit of the founding stakeholders. It was then when the company shifted its focus to being a key regional player. In the next 35 years, the company grew systematically. Business focus evolved when Patel saw an opportunity in logistics in remote sub-Saharan Africa. This was followed by business expansion with supply chain diversification and significant infrastructure investments. All the different businesses amalgamated under a single group for better operations and ease of scaling up. They were later divided into six separate verticals for better management. Vamara (FMCG vertical) was launched in 2018 as the company moved towards digitalisation — externally and internally. ETG plans to focus on new business opportunities and continue to diversify across geographies and portfolios.
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Sifeng Liu, Ningning Lu, Zhongju Shang and R.M. Kapila Tharanga Rathnayaka
The purpose of this paper is to explore a new approach to solve the problem of positive and negative offset in the calculation process of integral elements, then propose a series…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to explore a new approach to solve the problem of positive and negative offset in the calculation process of integral elements, then propose a series of new grey relational degree model for cross sequences.
Design/methodology/approach
The definitions of cross sequences and area elements have been proposed at first. Then the concept of difference degree between sequences has been put forward. Based on the definition of difference degree between sequences, various modified grey relational degree models for cross sequences have been proposed to solve the measurement problem of cross sequence correlation relationships.
Findings
(1) The new definition of cross sequences; (2) The area element; (3) Various modified grey relational degree models for cross sequences based on the definition of difference degree between sequences.
Practical implications
The grey relational analysis model of cross sequences is a difficult problem in grey relational analysis. The new model proposed in this article can effectively avoid the calculation deviation of grey relational analysis model for cross sequences, and reasonably measure the correlation between cross sequences. The new model was used to analyse the food consumer price index in Shaanxi Province, clarifying the relationship between different types of food consumer price indices, some interesting results that are not completely consistent with general economic theory were obtained.
Originality/value
The new definition of cross sequences, the area element and various modified grey relational degree models for cross sequences were proposed.
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